EcoBoost Gets Smaller: Ford Shows Its Three-Cylinder In Frankfurt

Ford is using the Frankfurt Auto Show to familiarize consumers with its latest EcoBoost engine offering. The 1.0-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine will debut in European Focus, B-Max, C-Max and other compact and subcompact segment vehicles in April of 2012.

While no fuel economy numbers have been published yet, the engine is said to produce a remarkable 120 horsepower. Per Derrick Kuzack, Ford’s VP of global product development, the engine’s “attention to detail” will help to maximize fuel economy.

There’s plenty of technology behind the design, including twin variable camshaft timing, a split cooling system to allow faster warm-ups and an unbalanced flywheel and pulley to control vibration from the odd number of pistons.

While Kuzack wouldn’t quote fuel economy specifics, he was clear that the engine was designed to reduce fuel consumption compared to current offerings.

The smallest member of the EcoBoost family will debut in Europe first, but American customers won’t have to wait too long to see it here. Expect it to appear in the 2013 Fiesta, and we’re guessing that the 1.0-liter EcoBoost will improve on the current Fiesta’s 29 mpg city and 37 mpg highway EPA fuel economy ratings.